It seems simply that we are born inton a religion dictated first by family and then by culture. I know culture is a broad word but its influence can never be denied. Take any Christian and rewind time and have them born randomly in the Middle East. They would be Muslim and just as fanatic about that.
We choose a religion not because it is correct but because we want to fit in with our culture.
This may apply more to North America than to Europe. Here in Europe the pressure of religion is not great. Maybe that explains the higher proportion of Atheists here in Europe. We choose to be Atheist not only because religion doesn't make any sense but because the pressure to conform to religion is not as great.
2007-12-12 19:30:44 · 18 answers · asked by penster_x 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Just to add for Wesneast's information. I was brought up in a very religious family, attended a very Catholic school and was indoctrinated the same way as all other Christians.
2007-12-12 22:43:39 · update #1
Thanks for bringing that up, I have known that for a long time, but people just don't want to hear it.
2007-12-12 19:37:11 · answer #1 · answered by Fauna 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, what you are saying is only partially true. While many people do choose their faith simply due to cultural pressure, many do not. A good example would be an atheist in Europe prior to the de-Christianizing of the West, or a Christian today in the West.
The great irony in your question is that you don't see that European atheism is just as inherited, and passed from parent to child, as any other religion. Look at countries were atheism is/was the official state religion.
Plus, your theory doesn't explain why so many people convert to other faiths. An excellent example: most Christians today are not white, and many if not most live in countries where there was little or no indigenous Christian faith even 50 years ago.
2007-12-13 06:33:32 · answer #2 · answered by wenteast 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think this is necessarily true. I live in the United States and I am Christian. I have actually been through a lot of denominations and looked into other religions. Currently, I am not in a mainstream Christian religion. ( which may or may not make my parents happy)
I also know a LOT of Atheists here as well. It seems to be more popular with the younger groups. Many people here leave the religion of their parents in search of "greater truth". I see it happen frequently here.
2007-12-13 03:38:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, however this does not mean that your question doesn't have any merit.
It is true that most people go through life giving lip service to whatever belief system that they have grown up with. In my case I had a father that was an agnostic that thought that "smart people" believed in evolution so he believed in evolution. My mother was a nominal christian that believed in a Creator.
I took sides with my father until the age of 31. I had heard the Gospel a few times before then but had rejected it because I knew that it would change my life if I believed it and I didn't want to be a "hypocrite".
But, at the age of 31 I realized that I was the one that was being intellectually dishonest and one night alone in my house I accepted what I knew to be true. I believed that the Bible was true. That God was the Creator and that Jesus Christ was the Savior.
Back to "Asia"... The Gospel is preached in Asia and no matter what religion they are, they make the decision to either accept or reject the God of the Bible... Just as the people in New York City, or San Francisco do.. There is no difference.
So, as you might expect, I respectfully disagree with your assumptions and replace them with what I know to be the truth.
2007-12-13 03:33:04 · answer #4 · answered by truthsayer 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Well Westerns do not care religion, its the Matter of Truth, what is the Truth. During British rule over India They Tried to make people Christian Specially Poor by Giving them Financial Aids , But Now a days I have Examples in front of me Here In my City In Christian Missionary Hospital Many Missionary Preist and Doctors Converted to Islam.
2007-12-13 04:28:13 · answer #5 · answered by Jesus will rule with the Qur'an 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Religion is a a culture, a discipline created to sustain social order, whereby all contained therein abide by a set of values and dictates. Religions main objective is to aid connection to the spirit within, and assist upon the path and journey of human salvation. Europeans have a very strong identity and thus fanaticism arises rarely, usually when they feel their identity and race are under threat.
Mainly religeon is that guide, the users manual, to help us live life in accordance with values that strengthen virtue, particularly in those times when we fell most abject, lost, disillusioned and confused. Just as the user manuals help us to remedy and repair the appilance into good and effciient working order when all other strategems have failed. We very rarely, read them at the outset. Only when life is wrecked and raging. Life God and his minions are like that.
2007-12-13 04:45:13 · answer #6 · answered by VAndors Excelsior™ (Jeeti Johal Bhuller)™ 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Christianity is only 2007 years old.Human beings were there much before that.All christians were converted from some relgion or other.Perhaps the oldest known relgion is Hindu.All others were converted from Hinduism.This is the reason that Bible,Koran contains the basic teaching contained Srimad Bhgavt Gita and 4 Vedas of Hindus.
Even Christ(Krist) and Krisna are similar in name also.
2007-12-13 03:40:01 · answer #7 · answered by leowin1948 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Of course.
Geographical accidents of birth dictate who your parents are and what, if any, religions dominate that region.
I am ex-UK and I chose not to accept religion precisely because it didn't make sense and had nothing at all to do with peer pressure.
2007-12-13 03:34:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would not say so, some may just accept the faith they are born to but others seek God and learn from him. I was born in a christian family but had to accept Jesus for myself the muslim idea we are all born muslim is affensive as is the catholic idea if you are christned in theitr church you are catholic. it is a choice we must make for ourself but I agree it is harder for y#those in muslim countrys to learn the truth about Jesus but some still do.
2007-12-13 03:34:28 · answer #9 · answered by Mim 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Its not what you were born into that you should go along with but what you believe in your heart that you feel is right. Listen to your conscience.
2007-12-13 03:34:16 · answer #10 · answered by Carl F 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes to the first part.
With regard to atheists - I think you confuse atheism with lack of interest.
2007-12-13 05:27:47 · answer #11 · answered by costa 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋